Universal adjustable fence post assembly



Sept. 1, 1.964 H. A. PAs'sLER UNIVERSAL ADJUSTABLE FENCE PosT ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec.

Sept. l, 1964 HL'A. PAs'sLER 3,146,995

UNIVERSAL ADJUSTABLE FENCE POST ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 1o, 1956 f 3 sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. l, 1964 H. A. PAssLER 3,146,995

UNIVERSAL ADJUSTABLE FENCE POST ASSEMBLY Filed Deo. l0, 1956 .5 Sheets-Sheet 3 /f/ 4a I United States Patent O This invention relates to fences, and more particularly to fence constructions embodying braced fence posts of simple, rugged, economical and effective character.

To erect fence constructions, there are employed, in accordance with this invention, braced posts comprising vertical stanchions and brace members which are mechanically associated with the stanchions by adapters. Mechanical association of these constituent parts may be enhanced by collar clamps which function further to carry fence wires or cords. A plurality of collar clamps may be associated with each braced post where a plurality of fence Wires are to be employed. The collar clamps are conveniently of electrically insulating character, whereby, with electrically conductive fence wire, the fence may be electried.

An advantageous feature of this invention is that not only are the adapters of simple construction, but the stanchions and brace members may be identical, and hence interchangeable, iron rods.

Fence constructions of this invention may be employed for permanent or temporary use, and may be readily erected and disassembled. They may be employed to enclose or subdivide an area, or to provide a barrier. Gates may be embodied in the fence constructions. The fences may be electrically charged to repel or confine animals. Furthermore, fence constructions according to the invention may be employed'to preclude predatory activities by preventing close approach to animal enclosures.

In general, the invention makes possible the ready and economical erection andV disassembly of fence constructions for a wide variety of purposes.

In the'drawings specifically illustrating the invention:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a fence showing a corner post construction and a gate construction according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of fence construction for subdividing an area and showing a braced centre post;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a collar clamp arranged to receive and support a fence wire;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a gate handle;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation, partly in section, of a gate construction similar to that shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, partly in section, of an adapter for mechanically associating a brace member with a vertical stanchion;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a driver for anchoring stanchions and brace members in the ground;

l FIG. 8 is an elevation, partly in section, illustrating the anchoring of a brace member in association with a stanchion, and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a braced line post having a plurality of line wires associated with the stanchion and also with the brace member.

In FIG. 1 is illustrated a section of fence according to this invention, embodying braced fence posts 2 and 4, and braced corner post 6. The structure and manner of erecting gate post 2 will rst be described. A fragmentary enlargement of gate post 2 is shown in FIG. 5.

' Gate post 2 includes a vertically disposed stanchion 8 which is an iron rod extending into the ground suilciently to anchor it in position. Brace member 1@ comprises an iron rod identical with that forming stanchion 8. Brace member 11i inclines upwardly toward the upper portion of ICC stanchion S, and extends angularly downwardly into the ground suiliciently to anchor it. Brace member 10 is mechanically associated with stanchion 8 by means of adapter 12.

Adapter 12 (see FIG. 6) is formed from iron pipe or tubing, and has sleeve section 14, and collar section 16 which is disposed angularly to sleeve section 14 and is apertured at 18. Collar section 16 as illustrated, is formed by the flattened end of a pipe or tube bent angularly, for example about 30, relative to sleeve section 14.

When stanchion 8, brace member 10 and adapter 12 are assembled (FIGS. l and 5), the upper portion of brace member 10 extends well into sleeve section 14, and preferably substantially to the upper end of sleeve 14 as indicated in FIG. 5, and collar section 16 surrounds stanchion 8. In practice, it is found desirable to have the brace member 10 fit into the sleeve section 14 reasonably snugly with an easy sliding t, and likewise to have the aperture 18 of such dimension that the collar 16 will fit over the stanchion 8 reasonably snugly with an easy sliding tit.

Directly above and seating on collar section 16 of the adapter is shown a cylindrically-shaped collar clamp 20 provided with an axial bore 22 dimensioned for easy sliding iit over the stanchion S. Bore 22 is shown as eccentricall'y disposed to provide ample space for the transverse wireor cord-carrying slot 24 which desirably is enlarged at its inner portion 26. Collar clamp 20 serves as a simple and effective means to assist in holding gate post 2 in assembled relation, and serves further as a highly convenient means for the positioning of a fence cord or wire. Conveniently the collar clamp 20 may be made of electrically insulating material, for example polyethylene or other plastic; polyethylene is highly desirable because of its general chemical inertness and consequent weatherproofness and rust-resistance, as well as because of its electrical insulating` qualities, its inexpensiveness, and the ease with which it may be machined and shaped.

Gate post 2 may be erected as indicated in part in FIGS. 7 and 8. Stanchion 8 is driven vertically into the ground at the desired location to a depth to provide adequate anchorage. Any suitable tool may be employed for this purpose, but care should be taken not to peen over the upper end of the stanchion or otherwise distort or deform the stanchion.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 is illustrated a simple and effective tool for anchoring stanchions and brace members in the ground. Driver 28 has a sleeve section 30 and a head 32;

sleeve section 30 lits over the upper portion of a stanchion with easy sliding lit, and head 32 may be a steel billet weighing in the neighborhood of a few pounds. By means of a tool such as driver 28, stanchions and brace members are easily anchored in the ground in desired position Without distortion or deformation.

Continuing with the mode of erection of gate post 2, afterv anchoring stanchion 8 as described above, brace member 10 is driven angularly into the ground until its upper end is adjacent to stanchion 8v and its lower end is anchored. The degree of angularity between brace member 10 and stanchion 8 may vary, but conveniently may be about 30, `and in general should conform approximately to the degree of angularty between the sleeve section 14 and collar section 15 of adapter 12. Adapter 12 is then associated with brace member 10 and stanchion 8, sleeve 14 of the adapter being slipped over the upper end of brace member 10 and collar section 16 being moved downwardly over the upper end of stanchion 8 with the upper end of the latter extending through aperture 18. It may be found desirable to move the upper ends of brace member 1@ and stanchion 8 relative to each other in associating the adapter 12 therewith. A collar clamp 20 is then slipped over the upper end of stanchion 8, preferably downwardly into seating engagement on the upper surface of adapter collar 16, whereby the collar clamp assists in maintaining the constituent parts of the braced post 2 in assembled relation, as well as providing a support for a fence wire or cord. A second collar clamp 20 may be superimposed upon the first collar clamp, as indicated in FIG. 1, where two fence wires or cords terminate at braced post 2. Ordinarily the fence Wire or cord is associated with the collar clamp or clamps after the various posts constituting the fence, enclosure or barrier have been erected.

Braced gate post 4 also includes stanchion 8, brace member 1), adapter 12 and collar clamp 20, these parts being identical with those described above with reference to gate post 2, and assembled in the sarrie manner, except that the brace members 10 and adapter sleeves 12 incline in opposite directions to resist fence wire pull, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Between gate posts 2 and 4 is shown gate wire or cord 34, which is shown in FIG. 1 as being secured at one enditoV the upper collar clamp 20 on stanchion 8. At its other end, gate wire 34 is secured to gate handle 36. Handle 36 is shown in enlargement in FIGS. 4 and 5. Like collar clamp 20, .the gate handle -conveniently is made of insulating material such as polyethylene. Gate handle 36 is shown as generally cylindrical in shape, andat one end is transversely apertured at 38 and longitudinally slotted at 46 for convenient attachment of the gate wire to lthe handle. Adjacent to its opposite end, gate handle 36 is transversely bored at 40, the bore being of suitable diameter for reception by the upper portion of stanchion 8 with easy sliding lit, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. In FIG. 5 the gate wire 34a is shown as being the continuation Y of fence wire section 42a.

In FIG. l, corner post 6 has stanchion 8, and two brace members and two adapters 12. The collar section 16 of one adapter is disposed above the collar section 16 of the other adapter, and collar clamp 20 is seated on the upper of the adapter collar sections.V Corner post 6 illustrates a situation where the fence takes a right angle turn, namely 90".l Fence wire section 42a is shown as secured at one end to the lower collar clamp 20 of post 2, and continues to collar clamp 20 of post 6 where it turns at right angles to continue as fence wire section 42h. Corner post 6 is erected in the manner described with reference to post 2, except that two brace members and adapters are associated with the stanchion.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it will be noted that the brace members and adapters are positioned to resist the pull of fence wire or cord on the stanchions with which they are associated. Thus, in post 2, the brace member 10 and adapter 12 lie in the same vertical plane as wire 42a and resist wire pull on stanchion 8 of this post toward post 6, and likewise the adjacent brace member and adapter of post 6 resist pull on post 6 toward post 2. The other brace member and adapter of post 6 lie in the same verticali plane as wire section 42h and resist pull on stanchion 8 of post 6 in the outward direction of wire section 42h, namely in the direction at 90 to wire section 42a. Similarly, the brace member and adapter of gate post 4 lie in the vertical plane of fence wire section 42C, and resist pull on stanchion 8 of post 4 in the outward direction of wire section 42C.

In FIG. 2 is illustrated a braced post construction such `as may be employed in the centre of a eld for subdividing an area rectangularly into four areas. Thus, braced post 44 comprises a stanchion 8 with which are associated four brace members 10 and four adapters 12. The collar sections 16 of the adapters surround stanchion 8 in superimposed relation. Two collar clamps 20 are shown as surrounding stanchion 8 and seated on adapter collar sections 16. Fence wire sections 42d and 42efare each attached to onev of collar clamps 20, and extend at right angles to each other. One pair of'brace members and adapters is disposed in the vertical plane of fence wire 42d and the other pair in the vertical plane of wire 42e. The brace members and adapters of each pair incline upwardly toward each other, and thus both pairs together resist pull on stanchion 8 from the four directions in which fence wire sections 42d and 42e extend. Braced post 44 may be erected in the same manner as indicated with reference to post 2.

In FIG. 9 is illustrated a braced post construction useful in constructing an electried enclosure about a poultry yard or other animal pen to discourage predatory activities. Braced line post 46 comprises a stanchion 8, brace member 10, and adapter 12. Two spaced collar clamps 20 are shown as disposed on brace member 10 below adapter sleeve 14, and two additional spaced collar clamps 26 are shown disposed on stanchion 8 below adapter collar section 16. A collar clamp 20 is seated on adapter collar section 16, and another collar clamp 20 is disposed near the top of stanchion 8. In erecting braced post 46, the collar clamps 20 on the brace member 10, and the clamps 20 on stanchion 8 below adapter collar section 16, are placed on the brace member 10 and stanchion 8 respectively before the brace member and stanchion are mechanically associated. Otherwise post 46 is erected as described hereinabove with reference to braced post 2. For the purpose indicated, collar clamps 20 are of electrically insulating material, for example polyethylene, and fence wire sections 427, which are supported in slots 24 of clamps 26, are of'bare, electrically conductive wire, such as of copper, iron or aluminum. Wires 42j are connected to a conventional source (not shown) of suitable high voltage electric current suitable for electric fence purposes. A complete enclosure or barrier of the type illustrated in FIG. 9 may of course include posts wherein two or more brace members and adapters are associated with each stanchion, depending in part upon the shape of the area to be protected.

In erecting braced posts according to this invention, it is generally desirable that the brace memberand adapter incline upwardly toward the stanchion in a direction opposite to the direction of pull of the fence wire. Where the fence wire is stretched in the form of an arc or obtuse angle and exerts pulling forces in two directions on a braced post, the brace member and adapterdesirably incline upwardly toward the stanchion in a direction opposing the resultant of the pulling forces on the post. As has been pointed out heretofore, however, a plurality, namely Itwo or more, brace members and adapters may be associated with a stanchion in accordance with the particular situation involved.

The braced post construction of this invention is not only eifective to resist forces pulling in the direction of the brace member, but is also yieldable in the opposite, direction without damage to, or disassociation of, the braced post. This advantageous feature results from the fact that the adapter sleeve may receive a substantial length of lthe brace member, so that the brace member and adapter sleeve remain in cooperative relation even following a very substantial force exerted on the stanchion tending to pull the adapter away from the brace member.

In the case of electric fences, for cattle control or marauder protection, the fence wire or cord is of bare electrically conductive wire, carried by the collar clamps which in this instance function also as insulators. 'Ihe electric fence wire may be continuous or discontinuous, but ifV discontinuous, so-called jump connections are'made between wire ends to provide a continuous path for the electric current.

Where the fence construction is not to be electrified, the fence wire may be of metal wire or of any suitable non-metallic wire of cordage or rope material, and may be formed of a single length of wire or of several lengths joined together., Even in the case of non-electric fences, the metallic or non-metallic fence wire is preferably carried by the collar clamps. The fence wire may of course be formed partly of metal wire and partly of nonmetallic wire, and where a plurality of fence wires are employed, one wire may be of metal, electrified or nonelectriied, and another wire may be non-metallic.

It will be understood of course that in certain instances, usually for temporary purposes, one or more non-electrivtied fence wires may be secured directly to stanchions,

brace members or adapter-s instead of to collar clamps, although the attachment of fence wires to collar clamps is preferred.

In the erection of fences including braced posts according to this invention, unbraced line posts may be employed between braced posts. Such unbraced line posts may consist merely of anchored stanchions, which preferably carry collar clamps as herein described.

It will be -seen that bythis invention thereis provided a simple, economical and sturdy fence construction which is highly effective to erect fences of widely varying character and for a diversity of purposes.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made while still coming within the scope of the invention.

Having disclosed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. In a braced fence post construction, in combination, a vertically disposed stanchion consisting of a solid iron rod anchored in the ground; a brace member consisting of an iron rod substantially identical with the vertical stanchion and anchored angularly in the ground and extending angularly upward toward the vertical stanchion and terminating with its upper end just short of said vertical stanchion and at a height well below the upper end of said vertical stanchion; an adapter having a collar section surounding the stanchion with easy sliding tit and having a relatively long sleeve section extending angularly downwardly from said collar section and internally leceiving the upper portion of said brace rod with an easy sliding tit; an axially bored collar clamp snugly surrounding said stanchion with the upper end of said stanchion protruding through same, said clamp being seated ou the collar section of said adapter and provided with a transversely disposed slot for receiving fence wire; and fence wire extending into said slot and carried by said collar clampv 2. A braced fence post construction as in claim 1 in which said collar clamp is constructed of electrically insulating material and the transversely disposed slot therein does not communicate with the axial bore therein.

3. A braced fence post construction as in claim 1 in which said collar clamp is made of electrically insulating plastic material.

4. A braced fence post construction as in claim 3 in which the plastic is polyethylene.

5. In a braced fence post construction, in combination, a vertically disposed stanchion; a plurality of brace members spaced from each other at their lower ends and each extending angularly upwardly toward said stanchion and terminating with its upper end just short of said stanchion and at a height well below the upper end of said stanchion; a plurality of adapters each having a collar section surrounding .the stanchion with easy sliding tit and each having a relatively long sleeve section extending angularly downwardly from said collar section and internally receiving the upper portion of one of said brace members with an easy sliding fit, said collar sections being disposed one over another; an axially bored collar clamp surrounding said stanchion snugly and seated on the uppermost collar sect-ion of said adapters and provided with a transversely disposed slot for receiving fence wire; and fence wire extending into said slot and carried by said collar clamp.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 560,364 Owens May 19, 1896 601,272 Neil et al Mar. 29, 1898 619,684 Emerton et al Feb. 14, 1899 794,933 Gay July 18, 1905 866,303 Reynolds Sept. 17, 1907 1,249,848 Sprague Dec. 11, 1917 1,319,887 Metzko Oct. 28, 1919 1,811,217 Spaugh June 23, 1931 1,951,282 Hise et al Mar. 13, 1934 2,306,661 Gengler Dec. 29, 1942 2,450,730 Hord Oct. 5, 1948 2,452,840 Craig Nov. 2, 1948 2,454,348 Schilling NOV. 23, 1948 2,574,052 Metcalf Nov. 6, 1951 2,756,969 Meinen July 31, 1956 

1. IN A BRACED FENCE POST CONSTRUCTION, IN COMBINATION, A VERTICALLY DISPOSED STANCHION CONSISTING OF A SOLID IRON ROD ANCHORED IN THE GROUND; A BRACE MEMBER CONSISTING OF AN IRON ROD SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL WITH THE VERTICAL STANCHION AND ANCHORED ANGULARLY IN THE GROUND AND EXTENDING ANGULARLY UPWARD TOWARD THE VERTICAL STANCHION AND TERMINATING WITH ITS UPPER END JUST SHORT OF SAID VERTICAL STANCHION AND AT A HEIGHT WELL BELOW THE UPPER END OF SAID VERTICAL STANCHION; AN ADAPTER HAVING A COLLAR SECTION SUROUNDING THE STANCHION WITH EASY SLIDING FIT AND HAVING A RELATIVELY LONG SLEEVE SECTION EXTENDING ANGULARLY DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID COLLAR SECTION AND 